SPIROMETER SENSOR 0378I

User’s Guide

Figure 1. Spirometer sensor 0378i

CENTRE FOR MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

http://www.cma-science.nl
Description
The Spirometer 0378i can be used to perform a variety of experiments related to air
flow and lung volume. The sensor handle can be held manually, or it can be
attached to a tripod or stand using the threaded insert in the bottom of the handle.
The sensor is composed of a removable Flow Head (for easy cleaning and
sterilization) and a differential pressure transducer.
The following items are included with your Spirometer:
 Spirometer (consisting of sensor, handle and flow head);
 5 disposable mouthpieces;
 1 disposable bacterial filter;
 2 nose clips.
All parts can be ordered separately from CMA, except for the sensor handle with
the sensor.1
The sensor is equipped with a BT-plug and can be connected to the following CMA
interfaces: €Lab, CoachLab II/II+ and ULAB. Furthermore the sensor can be used
with Texas Instruments CBL, CBL2 and Vernier LabPro.

Sensor specifications
The Spirometer sensor has a memory chip (EEPROM) with information about the
sensor. Through a simple protocol (I2C) the sensor transfers its data: name, quantity,
unit and calibration to the interface.2

The working of the Spirometer

The Flow Head, which is composed of a plastic housing through which air is forced.
In the center of the Flow Head is a mesh screen. As air is forced through it, a slight
difference in pressure exists between the front and the back surface of the screen.
Two small tubes on both sides of the screen pass the pressures to a differential
pressure transducer. The greater the airflow passing through the screen, the greater
the pressure differential will be. This allows for the direct measurement of the air
flow rate (L/s). The volume (L) can be calculated by integrating the flow rate (L/s)
as a function of time (s). This can be done in the Coach program by using the option
Processing & Analysis > Integral in the Diagram/ Table Tool menu. In order to
obtain good results before starting the measurement reset the sensor to zero when no
air flows through it. If the integral formula is prepared a priori in a diagram or table,
Coach allows for a direct measurement of ‘Breathing volume vs. time’.

Preparing the Spirometer sensor for use

Put a disposable mouth piece, followed by the bacterial filter, if desired, to the Flow
head at the side indicated by the tekst ‘Inlet’. Let the subject use a nose clip if so
desired to avoid air losses through the nose. Now everything is ready for a
measurement.

1
Filter: 0378FIL; Mouth Piece: 0378MP; Flow Head: 0378FLOW, Nose Clip: 0378NOSE.
2
This is valid for the following interfaces: CMA €Lab, BT inputs of CoachLab II/II+ and ULAB,
TI CBLand CBL2, and Vernier LabPro.

2
Removal of the Flow head
The Flow head can be simply removed by pressing firmly
on the lower part of the latches on both sides of the upper
part of the handle (see arrows). Carefully pull the Flow
head out. It can safely be cleaned with a dishwasser.

Suggested experiments
The following experiments can be performed with the Spirometer sensor, e.g.:
 FEV (forced expiratory volume). The FEV is the volume of air exhaled after a
short period of constant effort. When this test is done over a one-second
interval, it is known as FEV1.
 FVC (forced vital capacity). FVC is the volume of air exhaled by a forced
maximal exhalation after a full inhalation.
 TV (tidal volume). TV is the volume of air
inhaled and exhaled at rest.

Breathing Patterns
A student’s normal, resting breathing pattern is
measured by a Spirometer. A graph of the data
shows the student breathing in (inspiration) and
breathing out (expiration). The graph shows
typical results of the flow rate during a normal
breath and a deep breath.

Tidal Volume
A student’s normal, resting breathing pattern is
measured. A graph of the data shows the volume
of air the student breaths in (inspiration) and
breaths out (expiration). The overall process is
referred to as ventilation. Tidal volume is the
amount of air that a person breathes in with a
normal breath.

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)

In this activity, the student exhales forcefully
and very quickly into the Spirometer, and then
inhales. The graph of this event, shown here,
allows the student to determine his/her forced
vital capacity. The graph is a plot of lung
volume (x-axis) vs. flow rate (y-axis). The data
may also be examined to determine Forced
Expiratory Volume after 1s (FEV1).

3
Calibration
The output of the Spirometer sensor is linear
with respect to air flow rate.
To collect data you can:
1. Use the calibration supplied by the
sensor EEPROM memory.
2. Use the calibration supplied in the
standard library of the Coach program.
The name of the Spirometer sensor in the
sensor library of Coach is Spirometer
sensor (0378i) (CMA) (-10 .. 10 L/s).
The default calibration graph of the Spirometer
sensor (as used in the standard Coach library
and sensor memory):
Flow (L/s) = 7.2 · Vout(V) – 17.97
Coefficients of the calibration function:
a= 7.2; b= -17.97

Technical data

Flow rate -10 .. 10 L/s

Voltage output range 0 .. 5 V

Dead volume 93 mL

Nominal output 60µV / [L/s]

Calibration function flow (L/s) = 7.2 · Vout(V) – 17.97

Sensor information for

256 byte serial EEPROM
Auto-ID and calibration

Connection Right-hand BT (British Telecom) connector

Warranty:
The 0378i Spirometer sensor is warranted to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of 12 months from the date of purchase provided that it
has been used under normal laboratory conditions. This warranty does not apply if
the sensor has been damaged by accident or misuse.

Note: This product is to be used for educational purposes only. It is not appropriate
for industrial, medical, research, or commercial applications.

Rev. 20/07/12